tpaxadpom

thanks for the advice. I preffer 5 series to 3 series, though I don't know wether SMG is a best choice for my wife. She was ok driving it in the auto mode but most likely won't ever use a manual mode.

Ellicit

SMG... i love smg!! lol

I don't know much about it, but I had mine replaced at 48K, cost me 3K, but I replaced the clutch and pump, now I see a lot of indi shops doing it for less then $1500, which is an OK price.
I dont kn if the wify would enjoy driving an SMG, better of get an automatic?

tpaxadpom

that's interesting I ran autocheck and it shows no flood. Only salvage title with 2 acidents, though doesn't say what happened. Though I don't know who to trust, autocheck or www.nicb.org

tpaxadpom

Still haven't decided on this car. Everyone tells me don't buy it, though it's very tempting as I can get it for $17k.

rctmthouse

$ 17K for an '08 V8 does sound very tempting; flood or no flood but you have to take in consideration the maintenance and repair cost it might take once you actually own it. On Japanese cars, it's OK to take that risk since parts and labors are a bit cheaper but for a BMW, I don't know if it's worth it along with the fact 70K miles is a bit on the higher end already.

Used to be in the body shop business awhile back. Fell in love with the 850, auctioned it and fixed up for my personal usage. It was a disaster, wasted so much money on it from engine mount replacement to radiator plus various oil leaks. Told myself never again I will even consider getting a salvage BMW or Mercedes.

tpaxadpom

thanks for your input rctmthouse. It's actually 07, not 08. Though it has M tech body kit and most upgrades (minus night vision and HUD) and 19" rims that needs some cleaning. Man it's a hard decision...

saf545

Wow...17k. I would even hesitate. I would already have owned that car. This car cant be an 08 with it having smg. What year is it anyway?

rctmthouse

I know what you mean about a hard decision. Well you can always look at it this way, it's already a gamble when buying a used BMW without warranty. Some members here experienced lots of problems with their non- salvage cars so at least you're ahead of the game by at least $10k. I bought mine 3 years used too, did experience minor problems but it isn't too bad yet since most were DIY fixes. The only thing you have to take in consideration also is the re-sale value. It will be hard to sell a salvaged BMW down the line.

GL with whatever you decide.

tpaxadpom

thanks for your input guys.
Maybe I should schedule vehicle inspection at dealership where seller lives. It should be around $200. If they run diagnostic will they be able to tell me previous failures or just what's going on at the moment? I guess if car had a problem wouldn't I see it on the cluster/idrive display? It's very unlikely they will be able to tell me anything useful in terms of corroded connectors.

pennetta

I have had four five series cars. The fastest was my last, a 2008 535 Dinan Stage II, but the one I liked the most was my 2004 545 SMG. The transmission gave exclusivity and it was a cool drive.
I would get an SMG again, but only a new one under warranty. They had to replace the entire transmission, under warranty, since they couldnt find the exact cause of the problem I was having. Given that its a salvage title due to flood, I wouldnt buy it at any price.